Collapsible transport carriage

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a three-wheeled transport carriage, in particular for a golf bag, comprising a first elongated frame part and a second elongated frame part which can be pivoted relative to the first frame part and on the front end of which a front wheel is pivotally attached via a wheel holding bracket. The two rear wheels are hinged to a cross-member in the hinge region between the first and second frame parts in a pivotal manner about approximately 90°.

The invention relates to a collapsible transport carriage, in particularfor golf bags, comprising three wheels at a collapsible and/or foldableframe.

Such a three-wheeled transport carriage is, for instance, known fromU.S. Pat. No. 6,863,237 or U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,939. Here, a framebracket extending obliquely from the handle to the front wheel in theoperating position is provided, at the front end of which the frontwheel is attached while the two rear wheels are supported via struts onthe oblique frame bracket. For collapsing, the struts are folded to theframe bracket and the rear wheels are pivoted in the plane of the framebracket while the front wheel which lies, in the operating position,with its rotational axis approximately in the plane of the frame bracketis pivoted transversely to the driving direction and then folded in theplane of the frame bracket. This construction is especially suitable asa jogging scooter, but is also intended to be used for transportpurposes, for instance, as a transport carriage for golf bags.

It is an object of the invention to develop a transport carriage of theinitially-mentioned kind such that it is adapted in particular for thetransport of golf bags and has a simple construction easy to collapse.

In accordance with the invention this object is solved by the featuresof claim 1.

There is provided a three-wheeled transport carriage, in particular fora golf bag, comprising

-   -   a first elongated frame part having at one end thereof    -   a second elongated frame part hinged thereto with an end        thereof, which second elongated frame part can be pivoted        relative to the first frame part,    -   and at the free end of which a front wheel is pivotally attached        via a wheel holding bracket with a pivot axis by which the wheel        plane is pivotable about approximately 90°,    -   wherein the two rear wheels are hinged in a pivotal manner to        the end regions of an elongated cross-member, the elongated        cross-member being arranged in the hinge region between the        first frame part and the second frame part, such that the wheel        plane can be pivoted from a position approximately perpendicular        to the cross-member to a position approximately parallel to the        cross-member, and vice versa.

Due to the fact that only two frame parts which are positioned at anangle relative to each other in the operating position are folded,wherein the rear wheels are folded in the frame plane and the frontwheel is only twisted in the plane of the frame parts, there results asimple structure with easy handling during collapsing and unfoldingwhile the weight of the transport carriage can also be kept low.

Advantageously, the rear wheels are hinged by guide arms between thefree end of the first or second frame parts and axle beams of the rearwheels such that on pivoting of the frame parts relative to each otherthe plane of the rear wheels is pivoted about approximately 90° relativeto the cross-member. As a result of this, the rear wheels areautomatically pivoted to the carrying or operating position when theframe parts are pivoted relative to each other.

The cross-member may be connected rigidly with the first frame part atthe lower end thereof, for instance, by welding. Preferably, thecross-member is connected rigidly with the second frame part andattached to the lower end of the first frame part in a pivotable mannervia a bracket. As a result of this it is possible to position the rearwheels at the same side as the front wheel in the carrying position inthat the rear wheels are attached in the operating position at the rearside of the cross-member seen in the driving direction and thecross-member is, when the second frame part is folded up, pivoted suchthat the rear wheels are positioned by the guide arms on the side of thefront wheel therebelow.

Advantageously, the rear wheels are hinged to the cross-member in apivotal manner about approximately 90° by axle beams, wherein the rearwheels are rotatably mounted on these axle beams.

An electrical drive motor for the rear wheels may be integrated in theaxle beams.

For extending the support of the transport carriage by the front wheel,the wheel holding bracket is preferably designed to be extended andretracted relative to the second frame part along the pivot axis of thewheel holding bracket, so that the front wheel may be extended in theoperating position and retracted in the carrying position.

A support means for the operating position which holds the two frameparts at an angle relative to each other may be provided advantageouslybetween the first and second frame parts. This support means may bedesigned as a toggle lever. The two lever sections thereof are pivotablerelative to each other and hinged to the first and second frame parts.However, a different support means, for instance, in the form of aspring may also be provided between the two frame parts.

For comfortably moving the transport carriage in the operating position,a handle may be hinged in a pivotal manner to the free end of the firstframe part, said handle being adapted to be pivoted away from the firstframe part in the operating position and being pivoted backapproximately parallel to the first frame part in the carrying position,wherein in the two end positions a spring-loaded locking means or alocking means provided with a snap means may be provided for fixing thepositions.

At the first and second frame parts, a respective holding and/or supportmeans for a golf bag or an elongate good to be transported isexpediently attached, wherein, for the transport of a golf bag, a curvedplug-in bracket to be plugged into tongues on the golf bag isexpediently attached to the first frame part and a holder projectingfrom the second frame part is attached to the second frame part forsupporting the golf bag.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detailin the following by means of the drawing. There show

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the transportcarriage in the operating and/or driving position,

FIG. 2 a perspective view of the transport carriage in the transportposition,

FIGS. 3+4 intermediate positions during collapsing of the transportcarriage from the operating position in FIG. 1 to the carrying positionin FIG. 2 or vice versa,

FIG. 5 a golf bag on the transport carriage in the operating position,

FIG. 6 a second embodiment in perspective view,

FIG. 7 a view of an intermediate position during collapsing of thetransport carriage, and

FIG. 8 a perspective view of the second embodiment in the carryingposition.

The transport carriage designed as a golf bag caddy in FIG. 1 comprises,in the operating position, an upright first elongated frame part 1 witha cross-member 2 at the lower end, having rotatable rear wheels 3 and 3′hinged in a pivotal manner to the opposite ends thereof with theirrotational axis. A second elongated frame part 4 having a rotatablefront wheel 5 hinged in a pivotal manner to the front end thereof withits rotational axis extends horizontally from the lower end of theupright first frame part 1.

In the illustrated embodiment the upright first frame part 1 consists oftwo parallel tube bodies 1.1 and 1.2 which are rigidly connected by awelding connection with the cross-member 2 which is preferably designedas a rectangular tube. At the upper end, a handle 6 provided with a grip6.1 at the free end thereof is attached in a pivotal manner between thetube bodies 1.1 and 1.2. Furthermore, a curved plug-in element 7, theopposite ends of which are adapted to be plugged into tongues of a golfbag which is not illustrated so as to keep the golf bag on the caddy inan upright position, is fastened to the upper end of the upright firstframe part 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates an attachment 2.1 in the middle of the cross-member 2which projects forward in the driving direction and to which two framestruts 4.1. and 4.2 of the second frame part 4 which is horizontal inthe operating position of FIG. 1 are hinged. The second frame part 4 isdesigned approximately U-shaped with the two frame struts 4.1 and 4.2 aslegs and a bracket 4.3 as a strut. To this bracket 4.3 a wheel holdingbracket 5.1. is hinged with a pivot axis in the longitudinal directionof the frame struts 4.1 and 4.2 such that the wheel holding bracket 5.1can, after releasing a lock, be pivoted such that the plane of the frontwheel 5 lies in the plane of the frame struts 4.1 and 4.2, as isillustrated by the carrying position in FIG. 2.

As a lock between the wheel holding bracket 5.1 and the bracket 4.3 atthe second frame part 4 an engaging member may be provided on one of thetwo components which engages in a recess on the other component, whereinthe respective engaging position is spring-loaded.

To the front ends of the two frame struts 4.1 and 4.2 there is fasteneda respective support 8 which is, for instance, formed by an angled rod,said support 8 projecting obliquely forward and upward from the secondframe part 4 in the operating position, so that a golf bag T placed onthe second frame part 4 is supported in the longitudinal direction, asis illustrated in FIG. 5.

Between the frame parts 1 and 4 a toggle lever 9 is hinged close to thecross-member 2 respectively between the frame struts 4.1, 4.2 and thetube bodies 1.1, 1.2, said toggle lever 9, in its stretched position, inthe operating position of FIG. 1, holding the two frame parts 1 and 4 atan angle of approximately 90° to one another and being foldable by ahinge connection 9.3 in the middle region between the toggle lever parts9.1 and 9.2, as is illustrated by the intermediate position in FIG. 3.

It is, however, also possible to omit a support in the form of thetoggle lever 9, so that the golf bag G, which rests on the second framepart 4 and is suspended on the first frame part 1, serves forstabilization of the two frame parts 1 and 4 relative to each other inthe operating position, as may be seen in FIG. 5.

In the first embodiment, to the ends of the cross-member 2 respectiveaxle beams 3.1 and 3.1′ of the associated rear wheel 3 and/or 3′ arehinged with a pivot axis approximately parallel to the first frame part1 and/or in longitudinal direction of the first frame part 1perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cross-member 2, sothat the axle beam 3.1, 3.1′ which, in the operating position of FIG. 1,is oriented in extension of the cross-member 2 is adapted to be pivotedin a position rotated about approximately 90°, as is illustrated in FIG.2 in the carrying position in which the axle beams 3.1., 3.1′ arepositioned approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal extension ofthe cross-member 2. The rear wheels 3 and 3′ are rotatably connectedwith the axle beam 3.1 and 3.1′ and/or mounted rotatably on an end ofeach axle beam.

In order to pivot the two axle beams 3.1 and 3.1′ from the operatingposition in FIG. 1 to the carrying position in FIG. 2, the two axlebeams are each pivotally connected via a guide arm 10 and/or 10′ withthe lower end of the associated frame struts 4.1 and/or 4.2, so that,when folding up the second frame part 4 which is positionedapproximately horizontal in the operating position in FIG. 3 the twoaxle beams 3.1 and 3.1′ are, via the guide arms 10 and 10′, pivotedrelative to the cross-member 2 in the carrying position in FIG. 2 inwhich the plane of the rear wheels 3 and 3′ is approximately parallel tothe plane of the folded frame parts 1 and 4.

During folding from the operating position in FIG. 1, first of all thehandle 6 may be pivoted downward, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, sothat the grip 6.1 is positioned approximately between the two rearwheels 3 and 3′, whereupon the second frame part 4 is pivoted upward inthe direction of the arrow approximately parallel to the first framepart 1, wherein the toggle lever 9 is angled and the rear wheels 3 and3′ are pivoted via the guide arms 10 and 10′, so that the carryingposition illustrated in FIG. 2 results, in which the plug-in bracket 7at the upper end of the first frame part 1 may be used as a carryinghandle.

Prior to or after the folding up of the second frame part 4 the frontwheel 5 is, by pulling it away from the second frame part 4 against theforce of a spring of a lock (not illustrated), pivoted with the wheelholding bracket 5.1 about the axis thereof, so that the rotational axisof the front wheel 5 extends approximately perpendicular to thecross-member 2.

Various modifications of the construction described are possible.Advantageously, the wheel holding bracket 5.1 of the front wheel 5 isdesigned to be, along its pivot axis which extends in the longitudinaldirection of the second frame part 4, extracted and retracted relativeto the second frame part 4, so that the driving position of the frontwheel in the operating position of FIG. 1 can also be positioned at alarger distance from the front end of the horizontally positioned secondframe part 4. For this purpose, a rod may extend between the two framestruts 4.1 and 4.2 in the direction of the pivot axis on the bracket4.3, wherein the wheel holding bracket 5.1 is extractable along this rodand is retractable again in the carrying position.

For locking the individual positions of the front wheel 5, on the onehand, and the rear wheels 3, on the other hand, different locking meansknown per se may be provided which are preferably spring-loaded. Thesame applies for the position of the handle strut 6 relative to thefirst frame part 1.

Instead of the toggle lever 9 between the first and second frame parts 1and 4, a pressure spring may also be hinged by which the two frame parts1 and 4 are pressed apart in the operating position and which is, duringfolding of the two frame parts, for instance, displaced with one endalong one of the frame parts, so that it does not press apart the twoframe parts any longer.

Furthermore, different holding means may be provided for the golf bag Gto be supported on the frame parts 1 and 4. For instance, the curvedplug-in bracket 7 for plugging into tongues on the golf bag may also bereplaced or supplemented by a band adapted to be placed about the golfbag and holding it on the first frame part 1.

In accordance with a further modification the frame parts 1 and 4 may bedesigned in some other way, for instance, by a single frame strutinstead of the two frame struts illustrated. The frame parts 1 and/or 4may also be designed as elongated plates.

The individual support struts 8.1 and 8.2 which are rigidly fastened tothe second frame part 4 in the illustrated embodiment, may also beformed by another support 8, for instance, in the form of a bracket or aplate between the two frame struts 4.1 and 4.2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the transport carriage in aperspective view. The front wheel 5 is held rotatably by anapproximately L-shaped bracket 5.2, the short leg of which extendstransversely to the wheel plane in the position of FIG. 6. This shortleg is connected, by a pivot axis extending in the wheel plane in FIG.6, with a guide body 5.3 extending along the second frame part 4 in FIG.6. This guide body 5.3 is connected with the second frame part 4 by apivot axis 5.4 extending transversely to the rotational axis of thefront wheel 5 in FIG. 6. Via the bracket 5.2 the plane of the frontwheel may be pivoted about approximately 90° while the guide body 5.3may be pivoted relative to the second frame part 4 about approximately180°, as is illustrated in FIG. 7.

At the same time, the pivot axis of the bracket 5.2 is extendable andretractable in a telescope manner on the guide body 5.3.

This structure makes it possible to tilt the front wheel 5 downward inthe carrying position, in contrast to the upward arrangement in FIG. 2.In other words, the front wheel 5 may be hinged to the second frame part4 in various ways in a pivotal and extendable manner.

FIG. 7 illustrates a latch pin 5.5 on the bracket 5.2 which latches in anotch on the guide body 5.3 in the respective pivot position so as tofix the front wheel 5 in the respective pivot position relative to theguide body 5.3 which may also be provided with a latch relative to thesecond frame part 4.

Like in the first embodiment, also in the second embodiment thecross-member 2 is formed in the kind of a narrow plate which is,however, in contrast to the first embodiment, connected rigidly, e.g. bywelding, with the second frame part 4 such that the plane of thecross-member 2 extends approximately perpendicular to the second framepart 4, as illustrated in FIG. 6, so that, when the second frame part 4is pivoted upward in FIG. 7, the cross-member 2 is also pivotedtherewith.

The cross-member 2 may be pivoted with the second frame part 4 from theoperating position in FIG. 6, in which the plane of the cross-member 2is approximately parallel to the longitudinal extension of the firstframe part 1, about approximately 90° to the carrying position in FIG. 8in which the plane of the cross-member 2 is approximately perpendicularto the first frame part 1.

The cross-member 2 itself is pivotally connected with the first framepart 1 via a U-shaped bracket, wherein the two legs of this U-shapedbracket are hinged to the end regions of the two struts of the firstframe part 1.

As is shown by a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the cross-member 2 is,in the operating position of FIG. 6, positioned edgewise in relation tothe embodiment pursuant to FIG. 8, so that the axle beams 3.1 and 3.1′are hinged to the rear side of the cross-member 2. In the foldedposition pursuant to FIG. 8 the running wheels 3 are then positioned atthe same side as the down-folded front wheel 5, so that a compactstructure results in the carrying position.

The support 9 between the first frame part 1 and the second frame part 4provided in the first embodiment is not available in the secondembodiment pursuant to FIGS. 6 to 8. The support in the operatingposition is taken over by the golf bag placed between the holders 7 and8.

The handle 6 is formed to be straight in the second embodiment and maybe folded in between the two struts of the first frame part 1 in thefolded position, wherein the grip 6.1 may be fixed to the frame part 1by means of a latch, as is indicated in FIG. 8 with 12.

The transport carriage described may also be provided with an electricdrive motor by which the rear wheels 3 can be driven. Preferably,electric motors with a gear are integrated in each of the axle beams 3.1and 3.1′. An appropriate control panel with a battery element may beprovided at the top of the first frame part 1.

The transport carriage described cannot only be used for golf bags, itis also suitable for elongate containers leaning against the first framepart 1 and resting on the second frame part. In other words, thetransport carriage described can be used in various regards.

1. A three-wheeled transport carriage for a golf bag, comprising a firstelongated frame part having a one end region thereof; a second elongatedframe part attached thereto with an end region thereof, wherein thesecond elongated frame part can be pivoted relative to the firstelongated frame part, wherein at a free end region of the second framepart a front wheel is pivotally attached via a wheel holding bracketwith a pivot axis by which a plane of the front wheel is pivotable aboutapproximately 90°, and wherein two rear wheels are hinged in a pivotalmanner to end regions of an elongated cross-member in a hinge regionbetween the first and second frame parts such that their rotational axescan be pivoted from a position approximately in elongation of thecross-member to a position approximately perpendicular to thecross-member, and vice versa.
 2. The transport carriage according toclaim 1, wherein the rear wheels are hinged to the cross-member in apivotal manner about approximately 90° by axle beams.
 3. The transportcarriage according to claim 2, wherein the rear wheels are connected byguide arms between one of the first and second frame parts and the axlebeams such that, on pivoting the first and second frame parts relativeto each other, the rear wheels are pivoted about approximately 90°relative to the cross-member.
 4. The transport carriage according toclaim 1, wherein the cross-member is rigidly connected to the firstframe part at a lower end thereof.
 5. The transport carriage accordingto claim 1, wherein the cross-member is rigidly connected to the secondframe part and hinged in a pivotal manner to the first frame part. 6.The transport carriage according to claim 1, wherein the wheel holdingbracket is adapted to be extended and retracted relative to the secondframe part along the pivot axis thereof.
 7. The transport carriageaccording to claim 1, wherein a support device is provided between thefirst and second frame parts which holds the first and second frameparts in an operating position at an angle relative to each other andallows for pivoting of the first and second frame parts relative to eachother.
 8. The transport carriage according to claim 1, wherein a handleis hinged in a pivotal manner to a free end of the first frame part. 9.The transport carriage according to claim 1, wherein a holding and/orsupport device for a golf bag is attached to the first and second frameparts, respectively.
 10. The transport carriage according to claim 9,wherein a curved plug-in bracket to be plugged into tongues on the golfbag is attached to the first frame part.
 11. The transport carriageaccording to claim 9, wherein a holder projecting from the second framepart is attached to the second frame part for supporting a golf bag. 12.The transport carriage according to claim 2, wherein an electric drivemotor for the rear wheels is integrated in the axle beams.
 13. Thetransport carriage of claim 2, wherein electric motors with a gear areintegrated in each of the axle beams.
 14. A three-wheeled transportcarriage for a golf bag, comprising, a first elongated frame part havinga one end region thereof, a second elongated frame part attached theretowith an end region thereof, wherein the second elongated frame part canbe pivoted relative to the first elongated frame part, wherein at a freeend region of the second frame part a front wheel is pivotally attachedvia a wheel holding bracket with a pivot axis by which a plane of thefront wheel is pivotable about approximately 90°, wherein two rearwheels are hinged in a pivotal manner to end regions of an elongatedcross-member in a hinge region between the first and second frame partssuch that their rotational axes can be pivoted from a positionapproximately in elongation of the cross-member to a positionapproximately perpendicular to the cross-member, and vice versa, whereinthe rear wheels are connected by guide arms between one of the first andsecond frame parts and the axle beams such that, on pivoting the firstand second frame parts relative to each other, the rear wheels arepivoted about approximately 90° relative to the cross-member.
 15. Thetransport carriage according to claim 3, wherein the cross-member isrigidly connected to the first frame part at a lower end thereof. 16.The transport carriage according to claim 3, wherein the cross-member isrigidly connected to the second frame part and hinged in a pivotalmanner to the first frame part.
 17. The transport carriage according toclaim 5, wherein the wheel holding bracket is adapted to be extended andretracted relative to the second frame part along the pivot axisthereof.
 18. The transport carriage according to claim 14, wherein thewheel holding bracket is adapted to be extended and retracted relativeto the second frame part along the pivot axis thereof.
 19. The transportcarriage according to claim 14, wherein a holding and/or support devicefor a golf bag is attached to the first and second frame parts,respectively.
 20. The transport carriage according to claim 19, whereina curved plug-in bracket to be plugged into tongues on the golf bag isattached to the first frame part.